Originally posted by cannonbo:

well i learned something today. and GunsforBucks made me chuckle. So well worth the post.
Personally i'm surprised that Birch is a hard wood. In my mind i equated fast growth with softer wood.

All nut and fruit trees are hard woods. Its why those type woods are used for smoking and fermenting. They burn hotter, longer, and don't leave unpleasant after tastes in food.